Posted on 05/13/2007 5:41:45 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush spent most of the weekend in Washington. However, they did travel to Jamestown, Virigina, today to attend the ceremonies marking the 400th Anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement. Here is the AP story as published on the FOX News website:
President Bush Celebrates Jamestown's 400th Anniversary
JAMESTOWN, Virginia, May 13, 2007(AP) Fond of promoting the endurance of freedom, President George W. Bush on Sunday hailed America's humble beginnings as a reminder that new democracies require huge sacrifice.
"From our own history, we know the path to democracy is long and it's hard," Bush said in a ceremony honoring the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, America's first permanent English colony.
"There are many challenges, and there are setbacks along the way," Bush said. "Yet we can have confidence in the outcome because we've seen freedom's power to transform societies."
The President also did something that possibly may be a first for a U.S. president when he conducted the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Apparently, he did a pretty good job at it, too. So President Bush has a musical side. Who knew. :)
Bush playfully conducts orchestra in Va.
By SONJA BARISIC, Associated Press Writer
Sun May 13, 3:20 PM ETJAMESTOWN, Va. - JoAnn Falletta was doing what a conductor should — concentrating on the orchestra in front of her. No wonder it took her a few seconds on Sunday to realize someone behind her was motioning for a try.
"Smiling at me kind of devilishly," Falletta said.
She gave him her baton and stepped aside.
Gesturing exuberantly, the president led the orchestra during part of its performance of "Stars and Stripes Forever."
"We didn't expect him to know the score so well," Falletta said afterward. "He was not shy about conducting at all. He conducted with a great deal of panache."
That was the music played for Bush's exit after his speech at a ceremony commemorating the founding 400 years ago of Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement.
Just before the music ended, Bush turned to Falletta, who stood on a step below him, kissed the top of her head and left without saying a word.
The 400-strong orchestra was made up of about 50 members of the Virginia Symphony, plus musicians from youth orchestras around the country. The switch in conductors was impromptu, said Falletta, the symphony's music director.
"I think he may have just been seized by the desire to conduct the orchestra," she said.
Falletta did not spot Bush until alerted by a musician.
"I'm embarrassed now that I didn't notice him, but I was just thinking of the music," she said.
Bush stepped onto the podium and took over.
The musicians were impressed by how musical Bush was, Falletta said. "He was cueing the brass, he was cueing the percussion, he kept the tempo going," she said.
Bill Fearnside, a violinist with the Virginia Symphony, put down his instrument and picked up a camera to record the moment.
"It was a little shocking, but it was fun," Fearnside said.
THE WEEK AHEAD:
— Monday, the President has no public events scheduled. First Lady Laura Bush participates in a roundtable discussion on women and heart disease at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC— Tuesday, the President meets with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in the Oval Office. He also delivers remarks at the Annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in the Capitol.
— Wednesday, President Bus welcomes his friend, British Prime Minister Tony Blair to White House. (I believe this may be their last meeting in the White House before Mr. Blair retires from office.)
— Thursday, GWB meets with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Oval Office. Later, the two leaders will participate in a joint media availability in the Rose Garden.
— Friday, the first couple will be at their Prairie Chappel Ranch in Crawford, Texas.
EXTENDED SCHEDULE:
— May 20-21, 2007: President Bush hosts NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at his ranch in Crawford, TX.— May 23, 2007: President Bush delivers the commencement address to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.
I’m wondering if he had some help, lessons, and went over the score before he got there. He has done that before. If I remember right he practiced his pitching before going to a baseball game to throw out the first pitch. He probably had some kind of idea he could do it fairly well. I doubt he would have wanted to stumble in front of big crowds.
You must have missed my previous post reminding people that he was a cheerleader at Yale and conducted the band on some occasions there. He must have had a lot of fun today!
“Is there going to be a rebroadcast of this remarkable event?”
Now, ohio, you really must read my posts more closely: C-Span announced at the conclusion of its live broadcast that it would rebroadcast it at 5:45 PM EST and 2:00 AM EST — of course, neither re-broadcast is listed on their TV schedule (however, they did ‘run’ the first re-broadcast at 5:45 as promised, so maybe they’ll follow thru with the 2 AM).
FYI: C-Span just posted a video link to the event . . . I’m not sure how much of it they recorded — the ‘maestro’ moment was at the very end!
So that's how he learned how to conduct. At Yale!
What a hoot!
I’ll bet Dubya can’t resist standing up and directing symphony orchestras on TV in the privacy of his home. My husband did that every time there was a symphony on. He just couldn’t resist it. I’m laughing out loud. Dubya probably had a dream come true when he walked up on that stage and took the baton. And Joann Falleta, who by the way gets high marks on her directing from the NY Times, said she was surprised by how well Dubya knew the score.
It's the only way I can fit everything in. ;)
I'll set my DVR and hope I can catch the 2:00 broadcast.
I don’t think the ‘maestro’ moment was scripted . . . The President was definitely ready to go; however, Laura was still chatting with one of the event organizers so the President decided to busy himself with the orchestra . . . You could tell that the conductor was genuinely surprised!
Oh dear. Do we have to pick our top 10? Ugh. I can't imagine. We all had better start thinking now if we have to decide! :) BTW, I think the photo of GWB at the fire truck is one of the defining photos of his presidency. Aside from being a great picture, it is filled with meaning.
Good night have a good week
I am sure you are right I think he did the same thing with the cricket in Pakistan
Eleanor, belated birthday wishes to your Dad!! I am so happy to learn that he is home. What a wonderful birthday present for him.
Hope you are well.
My Mom turns 85 on the 20th. A few weeks ago, I completed the White House form to have a birthday card from President and Mrs Bush sent to my Mom. I didn’t tell her. She received the card yesterday and was SO SURPRISED! She kept saying......how do they know about my birthday. I told her ‘a little bird’ told them. LOL. She’s planning to frame the card. It was really nice.
Neat pix. thanks Daisy!
Lovely photo the younger one is growing up fast it only seems yesterday we were awaiting his birth.
Oh, how do you do this?
My mom will be 89 this July. She voted for W twice (and is registered Dem)
PTL
:^O !!!!
I am duly surprised and impressed. I imagine he did good at it, just as he does with all that he attempts.
Hi Eleanor! Good to be here at smae time.. we seem to miss connections. Have you been to bed yet? I nned to crash but am pretty wired due to some NOT SO GOOD occurances in course of day.
The concert at Severance Hall was wonderful
Mom had a good Mohter’s day despite my absense. She did not sleep last night & so slept most of the time I was gone. I gave her a boat load of goodies this AM & brought her a grilled wonderful (hher words) meal from Chilis..
Sweet dreams dear FRiend & I hope your work week goes well
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.